Month: November 2022

Speaker of Parliament Calls for Special Session on Corruption in the Telecom Sector
According to L’Orient Today, “Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri has called a parliamentary session next Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 11 a.m. to discuss allegations of corruption in Lebanon’s telecom sector, including lack of transparency, irregular awarding of lucrative contracts, and illegal hiring of officials.” [L’Orient Today]

Parliament Addresses Controversial Capital Controls Law
Following joint sessions of parliament, the capitol controls law proved to be a divisive issue among Lebanese parliamentarians, with Deputy Speaker of Parliament Elias Bou Saab saying, “I will continue my main objective, which is carrying on with the discussions until the law is finalized by the joint committees,” and MP Michel Moawad responding, “They are trying to escape accountability and make the depositors bear the burden and pay the price . . . We are not against the law in principle but approving it before restructuring the banking system means writing off the depositors’ savings.” [Naharnet]

BDL Authorizes Banks to Purchase US Dollars without Limits Until End of the Year
According to Reuters, “Lebanon’s central bank on Tuesday extended a circular allowing banks to purchase an unlimited amount of U.S. dollars on its Sayrafa exchange platform until the end of the year, a central bank statement said.” [Reuters]

Several Containers Go Up in Flames at the Port of Beirut
According to Naharnet, “Two containers went up in flames on Wednesday at the blast-hit Port of Beirut. State-run National News Agency said the containers had car parts and furniture in them. The fire was eventually extinguished by the port’s Civil Defense platoon and the Beirut Fire Brigade.” [Naharnet]

AbiNader writes, “A food desert is commonly defined as a geographic area where residents have few to no convenient options for securing affordable and healthy foods . . . At this point, Lebanon has certainly become a beggar state. Remittances from overseas remain the most important lifeline for many, if they can navigate the opaqueness of the banking system and Central Bank rules. Without an executive government and a parliament unable to elect a new president, the country is languishing. While those with means survive, more than 75% of the population remain in poverty, unable to sustain a quality of life with adequate access to food, education, medicines, and social services. State institutions, the banking sector, and public services are all in disarray . . . Given its political structure, the very nature of assistance to Lebanon gets called into question when well-intentioned initiatives and programs – like the ESSN cash-assistance program that is actionable and immediate – prove susceptible to corruption. When Lebanon’s friends outside the country are seemingly more concerned about Lebanon’s future than its current leadership, a deeper dilemma emerges regarding how much change it will take for Lebanon to become a viable, sovereign, and self-sufficient state. We’re still waiting for that answer.”

Read More Here

Kanaan writes, “The last time the two countries, geopolitical rivals for almost half a century, had a sports-related showdown of such strong significance was at the 1998 World Cup in France in what then-president of the US Soccer Federation, Hank Steinbrecher, called “the mother of all games.” The politically fraught confrontation —founder of the Islamic Republic Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini had, after all, called the US “The Great Satan” — ended in what many American outlets still refer to as a “humiliating” 2-1 defeat, which was especially crushing as the US team was widely expected to win, considering they were ranked 11th in FIFA’s world rankings compared to Iran’s No. 42 placement . . . While fans all over the world will watch this game while holding their breath, especially in countries that have been heavily impacted by US imperialism or at least heavy meddling in internal affairs, there is probably no population in the world, other than those of the two competing countries, that is more invested in the outcome of this game than tiny Lebanon.”

Read More Here

US Ambassador to Lebanon Stresses Need for New President
According to Naharnet, “U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea on Tuesday stressed the need to elect a new Lebanese president, warning that procrastination and betting on time are not in Lebanon’s interest, the National News Agency said.” [Naharnet]

Zeina Fares Joins Advisory Board of the Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies at UNC
As announced via social media, the Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill welcomed alum, Zeina Fares, to its advisory board. [Facebook]

Flash Flooding After Heavy Rain
According to Naharnet, “Heavy rains on Tuesday caused powerful flashfloods in Jounieh, Kaslik and Kfar Hbab in the Keserwan district, trapping motorists in their vehicles and causing major damage, media reports said. The rains also submerged Jbeil’s old souks.” [Naharnet]

Mikati Reported to Call for Cabinet Session Next Week
According to Naharnet, “Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati will call for a caretaker cabinet session and the date may be next week, MTV reported on Tuesday.” [Naharnet]

Head of ISF Issues Memo Granting Police Authority to Issue Arrests
According to L’Orient Today, “ISF head Imad Osman issued a memo granting the police the authority to issue arrest warrants, even in the absence of any instructions from the public prosecutor’s office. The memo is being seen as an attack against justice.” [L’Orient Today]

AbiNader writes, “A food desert is commonly defined as a geographic area where residents have few to no convenient options for securing affordable and healthy foods . . . At this point, Lebanon has certainly become a beggar state. Remittances from overseas remain the most important lifeline for many, if they can navigate the opaqueness of the banking system and Central Bank rules. Without an executive government and a parliament unable to elect a new president, the country is languishing. While those with means survive, more than 75% of the population remain in poverty, unable to sustain a quality of life with adequate access to food, education, medicines, and social services. State institutions, the banking sector, and public services are all in disarray . . . Given its political structure, the very nature of assistance to Lebanon gets called into question when well-intentioned initiatives and programs – like the ESSN cash-assistance program that is actionable and immediate – prove susceptible to corruption. When Lebanon’s friends outside the country are seemingly more concerned about Lebanon’s future than its current leadership, a deeper dilemma emerges regarding how much change it will take for Lebanon to become a viable, sovereign, and self-sufficient state. We’re still waiting for that answer.”

Read More Here

US Congressional Delegation Visits Lebanon
According to the L’Orient Today, “California representatives Mark Takano and Katie Porter, as well as Colin Allred of Texas — all three of them members of the Democratic Party — visited caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and caretaker Foreign Affairs Minister Abdallah Bou Habib Monday morning, the Grand Serail stated. They were accompanied by the US Ambassador to Lebanon, Dorothy Shea. The group went to Ain al-Tineh in early Monday afternoon to speak with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.” [L’Orient Today]

Caretaker Prime Minister Mikati Reiterates Support for Sleiman Frangieh
According to L’Orient Today, “Following his announcement two weeks ago, [Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati] reiterated on Sunday evening his support for Sleiman Frangieh’s candidacy for the Lebanese presidency, suggesting that the leader of the Marada Movement and Hezbollah’s preferred candidate in the presidential election could even be supported by Sunni MPs.” [L’Orient Today]

BDL Completes Audit of Gold Reserves
According to L’Orient Today, “Banque du Liban completed an audit of its gold reserves, including “coins and bullion,” by a “specialized” international company, the bank said in a statement Thursday. The audit was part of a slew of International Monetary Fund demands for reform to Lebanon’s economy in exchange for a multi-billion-dollar assistance package agreed upon in April.” [L’Orient Today]

Two Newly Elected MP’s Lose Seats Following Constitutional Council Decision
According to AP News, “Two newly elected Lebanese lawmakers, including an activist who had pledged to fight corruption, lost their parliament seats on Thursday following an appeals process before the country’s constitutional council.” [AP News]

AbiNader writes, “A food desert is commonly defined as a geographic area where residents have few to no convenient options for securing affordable and healthy foods . . . At this point, Lebanon has certainly become a beggar state. Remittances from overseas remain the most important lifeline for many, if they can navigate the opaqueness of the banking system and Central Bank rules. Without an executive government and a parliament unable to elect a new president, the country is languishing. While those with means survive, more than 75% of the population remain in poverty, unable to sustain a quality of life with adequate access to food, education, medicines, and social services. State institutions, the banking sector, and public services are all in disarray . . . Given its political structure, the very nature of assistance to Lebanon gets called into question when well-intentioned initiatives and programs – like the ESSN cash-assistance program that is actionable and immediate – prove susceptible to corruption. When Lebanon’s friends outside the country are seemingly more concerned about Lebanon’s future than its current leadership, a deeper dilemma emerges regarding how much change it will take for Lebanon to become a viable, sovereign, and self-sufficient state. We’re still waiting for that answer.”

Read More Here

Howard writes, “Captagon is a stimulant popular both in the Levant and in the Gulf. Its effects take about an hour to kick in and it gives one a sense of alertness or euphoria. For this reason, it is routinely used by combatants in the region’s conflicts, partygoers in the wealthy Gulf States, or those struggling to make a living . . . Lebanon’s key vulnerability in this situation is its border with Syria. Recent efforts to establish a shared maritime boundary between the two countries are encouraging.  However, more must be done to secure Lebanon’s land border with Syria as well. The LAF has called for an additional border unit and less political interference to be able to secure more of Lebanon’s borders. Increased support to the LAF is a crucial element to combating regional drug trafficking . . . Hopefully the Captagon Act [introduced by Rep. French Hill (R-AR) with 17 bipartisan sponsors] will become law [and launch an interagency strategy to destroy the Assad regime-backed network]. When it does, Lebanon will be at the centerpiece of US strategy to counter the trade, and the Lebanese people would greatly stand to benefit.”

Read More Here

Elghossain writes, “Since the October Revolt of 2019, Lebanese security forces have been struggling to manage compounding crises in their country. The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and Internal Security Forces (ISF) have increasingly stood between Lebanese leaders, factions, militias, criminals, and people. In doing so, they have had to remain loyal to the republic, within which they must operate despite its deep flaws; work under leaders who claim privileges and perks while abdicating duties and responsibilities yet remain powerful; and serve and protect– but also clash with – Lebanese people with whom soldiers and police have much in common.”

Read More Here

Karam writes, Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun recently vacated the presidency after six years in office, leaving behind constitutional chaos and a political vacuum at the top of a collapsing country. Five sessions in parliament have failed to elect a successor due to ceaseless bickering among a fractured ruling establishment and the unabashed obstruction of this vote by Iran-backed Hezbollah, the main power broker in Lebanon . . . Lebanon’s parliament can now do nothing except elect a president; to be successful, a candidate needs to first secure two-thirds of MPs’ support. Lebanon has been without a functioning government since the May parliamentary elections as factions, once again, were unable to agree on its composition. And the past six years are anything if not an indication that no president can be elected without the backing of Hezbollah, which holds a majority of seats in parliament.”

Read More Here

The American Task Force on Lebanon hosted a special debrief and moderated discussion with USAID Administrator Samantha Power on Wednesday, November 16th.

Just last week, Administrator Power was on official travel to Lebanon, where she focused on food security, higher education, energy, and other priorities. ATFL is grateful to Administrator Power for taking the time to engage with the Lebanese American community and friends of Lebanon in the US to share key findings from her timely visit.

Head of Lebanon’s Supreme Judicial Council Calls for ‘Revolution’ Against Interference in Judiciary
According to the Reuters, “Lebanon’s most senior judge on Friday said meddling by the political leadership in the work of the judiciary had led to a chaotic situation that required a ‘revolution in approaches’ to resolve, in a rare public rebuke of ruling elites.” [Reuters]

UNICEF Representative Calls Attention Toward Children in Lebanon
According to L’Orient Today, “Lebanon’s leaders must translate “commitment” to child protection into action despite the country’s economic and political woes, the UN special representative for violence against children said during a visit to Beirut Friday. The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence Against Children, Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid, arrived in Beirut Thursday to follow up on Lebanon’s progress — or lack thereof — on child protection over the past year. The visit came two days before World Children’s Day on Sunday.” [L’Orient Today]

One Million Dollar Burglary In Bekaa Valley
According to Naharnet, “Police in Lebanon, where a banking crisis has forced people to stash cash at home, said Friday that three people have been arrested after stealing over $1 million from a private residence.” [Naharnet]

Association of Lebanese Industrialists Criticizes Rollout of New Customs Policies
According to L’Orient Today, “The Association of Lebanese Industrialists strongly criticized the customs administration Thursday for having begun to collect, as a precautionary measure, the customs duty of three percent that Article 71 of the 2022 State budget law imposes on imported products subject to VAT. The measure has been in effect since the budget was published Wednesday in the Official Gazette. Article 71 also provides for the exemption of several imported products, including raw materials and equipment for local industry and agriculture. It also exempts imports for the security forces and the army, as well as gasoline.” [L’Orient Today]

Howard writes, “Captagon is a stimulant popular both in the Levant and in the Gulf. Its effects take about an hour to kick in and it gives one a sense of alertness or euphoria. For this reason, it is routinely used by combatants in the region’s conflicts, partygoers in the wealthy Gulf States, or those struggling to make a living . . . Lebanon’s key vulnerability in this situation is its border with Syria. Recent efforts to establish a shared maritime boundary between the two countries are encouraging.  However, more must be done to secure Lebanon’s land border with Syria as well. The LAF has called for an additional border unit and less political interference to be able to secure more of Lebanon’s borders. Increased support to the LAF is a crucial element to combating regional drug trafficking . . . Hopefully the Captagon Act [introduced by Rep. French Hill (R-AR) with 17 bipartisan sponsors] will become law [and launch an interagency strategy to destroy the Assad regime-backed network]. When it does, Lebanon will be at the centerpiece of US strategy to counter the trade, and the Lebanese people would greatly stand to benefit.

Read More Here

The American Task Force on Lebanon hosted a special debrief and moderated discussion with USAID Administrator Samantha Power on Wednesday, November 16th.

Just last week, Administrator Power was on official travel to Lebanon, where she focused on food security, higher education, energy, and other priorities. ATFL is grateful to Administrator Power for taking the time to engage with the Lebanese American community and friends of Lebanon in the US to share key findings from her timely visit.

Lebanese Parliament Holds Another Unsuccessful Session on Presidency
According to L’Orient Today, “Lebanese MPs failed on Thursday — at the end of a sixth dedicated parliamentary session — to elect a successor to former President Michel Aoun, whose term expired on Oct. 31.” [L’Orient Today]

Recent Outbreak of Cholera in Lebanon Reaches 20 Deaths and 569 Confirmed Cases
According to L’Orient Today, “Lebanon on Thursday recorded one new cholera death and two new cases in the previous 24 hours, bringing the total to 569 confirmed cases and 20 deaths, the Health Ministry said in its daily report published Thursday night.” [L’Orient Today]

Finance and Budget Committee in Lebanese Parliament Discusses Sovereign Wealth Fund
According to L’Orient Today, “Parliament’s Finance and Budget Committee, chaired by Ibrahim Kanaan (Free Patriotic Movement/Metn), held a meeting Wednesday focusing on the draft law for the establishment of a sovereign wealth fund. The fund would theoretically be fed by the potential revenues from exploiting the country’s hoped-for offshore hydrocarbon reserves.” [L’Orient Today]

FPM Head Comes Out Against Marada Movement Candidate
According to Naharnet, “Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil has stressed that the FPM will not endorse the presidential nomination of Marada Movement leader Suleiman Franjieh, even if all other parties agree on him. ‘The FPM would not lose if Suleiman Franjieh becomes president… and he does not represent a threat to us,’ Bassil is heard telling supporters in a leaked audio recorded during his ongoing visit to Paris.” [Naharnet]

AbiNader writes, “Lebanon’s fragility is underscored by its gravely weakened education and health sectors; the miserable condition and cost of public transportation; its devalued economy; and the ongoing threats to its security and stability. Anyone who says that these are temporary conditions has not been in the streets of Lebanon lately. Consider the cholera-infested areas of the north, Lebanese dumpster diving in Beirut, or the littered streets and beaches. While there is some agreement that a consensus president is needed, the lack of agreement on implementing the IMF reform package is less reassuring . . . The hollowing out of state institutions and protections of civil and human rights will delay the reconstructing of a credible, professional public sector. The first needed remediation is a package of social support services that are inclusive, equitable, and transparent. As of now, the social contract between the state and its employees is frazzled, fraught with omissions, exclusions, and nepotism, and subject to the whims of political leaders ensuring their survival by pandering to their constituents.”

Read More Here

“Pomegranates stuffed with pills, dummy corporations, false certificates: How did Lebanon become a hub for trafficking Captagon? Do the authorities have the means to fight it? Does this export product also wreak havoc among Lebanese youth? And why do some local barons still escape justice? L’Orient-Le Jour digs past the headlines on Captagon through this four-article series.”

Read More Here

The American Task Force on Lebanon hosted a special debrief and moderated discussion with USAID Administrator Samantha Power on Wednesday, November 16th.

Just last week, Administrator Power was on official travel to Lebanon, where she focused on food security, higher education, energy, and other priorities. ATFL is grateful to Administrator Power for taking the time to engage with the Lebanese American community and friends of Lebanon in the US to share key findings from her timely visit.

USAID Administrator Samantha Power Announces More Than $72 Million in Additional Humanitarian Assistance for Lebanon
“The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing more than $72 million in emergency food assistance to more than 650,000 vulnerable people in Lebanon, including refugees from Syria and other countries. This funding, through the United Nations World Food Program, will provide household food parcels – including rice, lentils, and chickpeas – for Lebanese families, and electronic food vouchers for Syrian refugees to use in local shops, which supports the Lebanese economy.”

Read Full Statement Here

EDL To Issue New Tariffs This February
According to L’Orient Today, “Bills from Electricité du Liban, Lebanon’s state-owned power provider, will be calculated in dollars but collected monthly in Lebanese lira, according to the dollar-lira exchange rate as per the central bank’s Sayrafa platform’s rate [with new bills set to be issued by the end of February 2023, marking the first change in price since 1994].” [L’Orient Today]

Group of 13 MP’s File Partial Appeal Against Banking Secrecy Law
According to Naharnet, “Thirteen MPs have filed a partial appeal before the Constitutional Council against the new banking secrecy law . . . The appeal was submitted by the MPs Jradeh, Firas Hamdan, Osama Saad, Abdul Rahman al-Bizri, Paula Yacoubian, Charbel Masaad, Cynthia Zarazir, Yassine Yassine, Halima Qaaqour, Nabil Bader, Ibrahim Mneimneh, Waddah al-Sadek and Rami Fanj.” [Naharnet]

‘Framework Agreement’ Rumored in Background of Presidential Gridlock
According to Naharnet, “Consultations are ongoing between the U.S., France and Saudi Arabia to reach a ‘framework agreement’ over the new Lebanese president, in coordination with Egypt and a number of regional countries, highly informed sources said.” [Naharnet]

Opposition MP’s Convened Once Again, Aiming to Build Agreement on Presidency 
According to L’Orient Today, “Lebanon’s opposition MPs held a meeting in Parliament on Tuesday to ‘break the wall of obstruction’ and discuss approaches toward electing a new president for the country, with no agreement on a single candidate, Forces of Change MP Mark Daou told L’Orient Today. ‘We will leave the MPs the freedom [of choice] in that matter for now, while this is still the first meeting we hold,’ adding that the opposition will discuss a consensus approach on a single name in the meetings to follow.” [L’Orient Today]

AbiNader writes, “Lebanon’s fragility is underscored by its gravely weakened education and health sectors; the miserable condition and cost of public transportation; its devalued economy; and the ongoing threats to its security and stability. Anyone who says that these are temporary conditions has not been in the streets of Lebanon lately. Consider the cholera-infested areas of the north, Lebanese dumpster diving in Beirut, or the littered streets and beaches. While there is some agreement that a consensus president is needed, the lack of agreement on implementing the IMF reform package is less reassuring . . . The hollowing out of state institutions and protections of civil and human rights will delay the reconstructing of a credible, professional public sector. The first needed remediation is a package of social support services that are inclusive, equitable, and transparent. As of now, the social contract between the state and its employees is frazzled, fraught with omissions, exclusions, and nepotism, and subject to the whims of political leaders ensuring their survival by pandering to their constituents.”

Read More Here

The American Task Force on Lebanon invites you to a special debrief and moderated discussion with USAID Administrator Samantha Power tomorrow at 11 AM ET via Zoom. 

Administrator Power is currently on official travel to Lebanon, where she will focus on food security and higher education, among other priorities, and is looking forward to engaging with the Lebanese American community and friends of Lebanon in the US to share key findings from her visit.

USAID Administrator Samantha Power Announces More Than $72 Million in Additional Humanitarian Assistance for Lebanon
“The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing more than $72 million in emergency food assistance to more than 650,000 vulnerable people in Lebanon, including refugees from Syria and other countries. This funding, through the United Nations World Food Program, will provide household food parcels – including rice, lentils, and chickpeas – for Lebanese families, and electronic food vouchers for Syrian refugees to use in local shops, which supports the Lebanese economy.”

Read Full Statement Here

Prime Minister Mikati Endorses Sleiman Frangieh for Presidency
“Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister — and de facto leader, in the absence of an official head of state — endorsed Sleiman Frangieh’s candidacy for president on Monday. The endorsement comes amid widespread worries over Lebanon’s leadership vacuum as the struggling nation hurtles through its third week without a president.” [The National]

Total Set to Launch Exploration Off Coast of Lebanon Soon
According to AP News, “French oil giant Total said Tuesday it would soon launch exploration activities in search for gas in the Mediterranean Sea off Lebanon’s coast, following last month’s Lebanon-Israel deal on their maritime border.” [AP News]

UNRWA Makes Urgent Appeal for Funding
According to Arab News, “The UN relief agency has warned of a major disruption to services for Palestinian refugees unless it receives an immediate cash injection. Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner general of the financially troubled UN Relief and Works Agency, said that in the coming weeks, UNRWA urgently needed between $50 million and $80 million “to be able to end the year and keep schools, health centers, and other basic services running.” [Arab News]

Government of Lebanon to Abandon Official Exchange Rate of 1,507 LL to the Dollar Soon
According to the National, “Cash-strapped Lebanon is hoping to fill state coffers by raising the exchange rate for taxes, fees and customs duties, Caretaker Finance Minister Youssef Khalil told The National, as the country reels from three years of economic collapse. Lebanon will abandon the official rate of 1,507 pounds to the US dollar and introduce a combination of higher exchange mechanisms in accordance with the currency’s market value.” [The National]

AbiNader writes, “Lebanon’s fragility is underscored by its gravely weakened education and health sectors; the miserable condition and cost of public transportation; its devalued economy; and the ongoing threats to its security and stability. Anyone who says that these are temporary conditions has not been in the streets of Lebanon lately. Consider the cholera-infested areas of the north, Lebanese dumpster diving in Beirut, or the littered streets and beaches. While there is some agreement that a consensus president is needed, the lack of agreement on implementing the IMF reform package is less reassuring . . . The hollowing out of state institutions and protections of civil and human rights will delay the reconstructing of a credible, professional public sector. The first needed remediation is a package of social support services that are inclusive, equitable, and transparent. As of now, the social contract between the state and its employees is frazzled, fraught with omissions, exclusions, and nepotism, and subject to the whims of political leaders ensuring their survival by pandering to their constituents.”

Read More Here

Ricour-Brasseur writes, “The associate fellow at AUB’s Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs spoke with L’Orient-Le Jour about Moscow’s desire to strengthen and expand its soft power in Lebanon.”

Read More Here